Yes, it’s finally election day…that wonderful, joyous day that marks the end of campaign junk mail season. Oh, and you get to vote, too…an activity we heartily endorse!
But while most people we know are eager to line up at their neighborhood polling places, we know there are also a few of you who may still be balking. So if your sense of civic duty isn’t quite enough to motivate you to vote today, we have some further information and offers that might just overcome your objections:
“I don’t know if I’m registered.”
To check your registration status, see https://www.lavote.net/vrstatus
“I’m not registered and it’s too late to do so.”
No it’s not. The Los Angeles Times reported recently that:
“California passed legislation that allows same-day voter registration even if you missed the deadline to do it online. It’s called conditional voter registration. You have to find your county’s election office, go there and cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted once your registration is verified. Here’s where to find yours.”
“I don’t know where my polling place is.”
Easy peasy: https://www.lavote.net/locator
“It’s too hard to get there.”
Lots of transit providers are eager to help you with that.
First, from Metro:
9 Ways We’re Making it Easier to Get to the Polls on Election Day
- Metro trains will be free all day.
- Metro buses will be free all day.
- LADOT’s DASH and Commuter Express buses will be free all day.
- Parking meters will be free within one block of polling places.
- Parking time limits will be relaxed within one block of polling places.
- Parking restrictions due to street cleaning will be suspended within one block of polling places.
- Permit parking will be suspended within one block of polling places.
- The first 30 minutes of Metro Bike Share will be free: use code 1162018.
- Access Services and Cityride will provide free rides to and from the polls for riders with disabilities and their companions.
Also, Uber is offering $10 off rides to the polls (use code VOTE2018)…Lyft and co-sponsor BuzzFeed are offering 50% off rides to the polls (see the link to get the code for your area)…and Lime is offering free rides up to 30 minutes long on all of its bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters (use code LIME2VOTE18).
“I have to work and can’t take time off.”
Legally, you can. According to a state-by-state guide from Vox.com, the rules for California are:
“Up to two hours paid time off must be allowed at the beginning or end of your shift. Two business days’ advance notice required. Employers must post a notice of employees’ voting rights at least 10 days before a statewide election.”
“It’s not worth my time.”
We like to think that civic pride and a functioning democracy are rewards enough to get people to the polls…but if you need a bit of extra incentive:
1933 Group bars (including Highland Park Bowl, Idle Hour, the Formosa Cafe, Harlowe, Oldfield’s Liquor Room, Sassafras Saloon, Bigfoot Lodge, Bigfoot West, Thirsty Crow, La Cuevita, Highland Park Bowl Wood Fired Pizza Truck, and Tail O’ the Pup), is offering $1 Moscow Mules or Old Fashioneds between 5 and 7 p.m., while supplies last.
Chevalier’s Books will give 15% off to anyone wearing their “I Voted” sticker.
Go Get ‘Em Tiger is providing $5 toward any beverage to those who show their “I Voted” sticker.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will add a free extra scoop (turn your single into a double, or your double into a triple) for those with “I Voted” stickers.
Lemonade is offering a free lemonade with any purchase to voters who wear their stickers.
Shake Shack is providing free fries with any purchase to voters who have either an “I Voted” sticker or use the code “ivoted” on the chain’s Shack App mobile phone app.
USA today has an even bigger list of such offers from across the country, but they also note that many of these incentives are technically illegal for elections in which there are federal-level candidates on the ballot. So they warn that at least some companies around the country have rescinded or changed the offers slightly (e.g. the discounts or freebies have in some cases been extended to all state residents, not just voters). But we’re guessing many, if not most or all, of the offers above are still being honored.
So go forth today and vote like your democracy depends on it (because, actually, it does).
